CMA Fest 2023
NASHVILLE, USA
JUNE 8-11, 2023
Now in its 50th year, CMA Fest is the longest-running Country Music festival in the world.
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. CMA Fest has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states in the USA, Puerto Rico and 39 international countries. In 2022, CMA Fest featured more than 250 acts on 9 official stages.
Sounds Australia in partnership with APRA AMCOS Nashville will be presenting A Taste of Australia showcase at CMA Fest 2023. This will be Sounds Australia’s debut showcase and networking event as part of CMA Fest and we are excited to be able to present the best in Australian Country on an international stage.
A Taste Of Australia will feature 2 songwriters in-the-round sessions which will be hosted by Phil Barton that will precede our showcases of the 6 Australian artists selected as part of CMA Fest 2023 including Casey Barnes, Chloe Styler, James Johnston, Loren Ryan, Max Jackson and Melanie Dyer.
SHOWCASES
WEDNESDAY JUNE 7
A TASTE OF AUSTRALIA
INDO, 632 FOGG ST, NASHVILLE
5.00PM- 11.00PM
Please note: attendance to this showcase is by invitation only
Writers Round 1 – 5.30pm – 6.10pm
Jacob Ridgeway / Phil Barton / Kylie Sackley / Kirsty Lee Akers / Zac & George
Writers Round 2 – 6.20 – 7.00pm
Blake O’Connor / Morgan Evans / Phil Barton / Sinead Burgess / Seaforth
7.20pm: Casey Barnes
8.05pm: Melanie Dyer
8.40pm: James Johnston
9.15pm: Loren Ryan
9.50pm: Chloe Styler
10.25pm: Max Jackson
BLAKE O’CONNOR
Nashville based Aussie Blake O’Connor’s latest album ‘Finding Light’ sky rocketed to #1 on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Charts, including the #1 hit singles Soul Feeling & Willin’ And Ready.
As a two time 2020 CMAA Award (Country Music Association of Australia) nominee, Blake won the prestigious Qantas New Talent of the Year Award. He was also nominated for Male Artist of the Year up against international star Morgan Evans.
Soon after winning Australia’s most recognised country music competition Toyota Star Maker in 2019 (previously won by Keith Urban) Blake released his debut album ‘Everything I Feel’ resulting in a #1 on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Chart.
Blake took his music internationally that same year, as an official CMA Fest artist in Nashville TN. There, he played multiple shows including a packed-out show at the world famous Bluebird Cafe. Blake has also played in the U.K, having a massive response after performing in the lineup for Buckle & Boots Festival in Manchester.
Blake has toured and played shows with US acts Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Charles Eston, Home Free, Samantha Fish, and Australian Royalty John Farnham, Diesel and Russel Morris.
Australia’s #1 Radio station 2GB host, Ray Hadley. was blown away by a recent in-studio performance and said; “Based on that performance, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Absolutely sensational.”
His music is often described as incorporating the outlaw country of Chris Stapleton, the blues of Tedeschi Trucks Band with the melodic soft rock of John Mayer.
CASEY BARNES
Casey Barnes kicked off 2023 with a bang, picking up Golden Guitar Award wins for Toyota Album of the Year and Top Selling Album of the Year for his latest album, Light It Up along with the APRA Award for Most Performed Country Work for God Took His Time On You. ‘Light It Up’ also took out the 2022 ARIA Award for Best Country Album. Debuting #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart and #3 on the All-Genre Australian Album chart, Light It Up features five smash hit singles including “Come Turn Me On”, “God Took His Time On You”, “Get To Know Ya”, “Light it Up” (all of which reached #1 on the CountryTown Hot50 chart) and “Kiss Me Like You Mean It”.
Produced by Melbourne based production team MSquared (Michael Delozrenzis and Michael Paynter), ‘Light It Up’ features ten new original songs, all co-written by Casey with MSquared and Nashville singer-songwriters Kaci Brown and Sam Gray. The album has spent over ten months in the Top 20 of the ARIA Australian Country Album chart, while Casey’s catalogue has amassed over 51 million combined streams.
Casey’s electrifying live show has made him one of the most popular touring acts in Australian country and the massive ‘Light It Up’ Tour has taken him across Australia and to the U.S, where he toured with the vocal group, Home Free. Also playing some of Australia’s biggest festivals such as Bluesfest, CMC Rocks, Groundwater and Gympie Muster. Casey is continuing the heat in 2023, with latest single, ‘Summer Nights’ becoming another country and commercial radio hit. The song is the first taste of a new album to be released in 2024. The follow-up single, ‘Boys Like Me’ will be released in late May 2023 and tells the story of growing up in a small town and chasing big dreams while being grateful for the simple things in life.
Fans will get to see Casey at many of the biggest Australian festivals and his own headline shows. Casey will also focus on international opportunities, especially in the U.S which is the #1 market for his 51mil+ global streams. Casey will be performing at the 2023 CMA Fest in Nashville as well as standalone shows throughout 2023 and beyond.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Thursday June 8
Mau Jim Reverb Stage
12.15pm
Fan Fair X
3.00pm
CHLOE STYLER
Australian singer-songwriter, Chloe Styler, delivers a taste of feel-good energy with her soul-soothing brand of Pop Country that warms the heart and delights the senses. Known for her authentic approach to songwriting that gently melds Pop and Country elements through intense storytelling, Chloe has been wrapping audiences in her wholesome indie embrace since her debut. In that time, she has delivered multiple alluring singles that have earned her nominations at the Gold Coast Music Awards, Queensland Music Awards, and Top 40 finalist status in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.
In November 2022, Chloe independently released her sophomore EP titled ‘Side A’, which has amassed over 100k streams across all streaming platforms to date. Chloe’s previous releases have landed in the Top 20 of the Country Hot 50 Chart (AUS) and seen support from CMT Australia, Triple J Unearthed, AAA Backstage, Women in Pop, The Music Network and more.
Styler has supported Australian country music legends Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Fanny Lumsden, as well as international 80’s pop icons Tony Hadley (ex-Spandau Ballet) and most recently the Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey on his national tour. She has performed at some of the most prestigious live music venues in Australia, including Suncorp Stadium, Enmore Theatre, The Tivoli, and the Forum. Most recently, Chloe launched ‘Side A’ EP at her sold-out debut headline show in Brisbane, Queensland.
Throughout her short but mighty career, Chloe has graced Australian festival stages such as Falls Festival, Big Red Bash, Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, the Deni Ute Muster, and many more. In September 2022, Chloe attended the APRA AMCOS Bigsound Country Songhubs in Brisbane curated by Milly Olykan (CMA) with acclaimed international artists Shy Carter, Kaylee Bell, James Johnston and more.
Chloe is seemingly destined to be at the forefront of young, focused, and powerful Australian artists set to make waves in the international market, kicking things off with her debut CMA Fest performance this June.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Friday June 9
Spotlight Stage
1.30pm
JACOB RIDGEWAY
Jacob Ridgeway, a proud Worimi and Gamilaroi man, was born and raised in Newcastle. With a childhood split between Dubbo and Port Stephens, his love for music was kindled by his mother’s mix of ’90s/00s Country and Hip-Hop/R&B. This diverse soundtrack fueled Jacob’s growth as a versatile singer, songwriter, and performer.
From taping over his parents’ wedding video to watch music shows at the age of three, to selling mixtapes in school for extra cash, Jacob’s passion for music was undeniable. Despite being kicked out of his high school music class, he never lost sight of his dream. Finally, he mustered the courage to leave his comfort zone and pursue his musical ambitions.
In 2014, Jacob’s talent shone as he delivered a captivating performance of “My Island Home” at the G20 Summit, backed by the QPAC Choir and William Barton.
Opportunities continued to flow, as Jacob shared stages and collaborated with notable artists such as Jessica Mauboy, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Ash Grunwald. Festivals like QLD Music Festival, Jazz on the Green, and events like NRL All-Stars & Indigenous Rounds became platforms for his mesmerizing performances.
Jacob’s music is an avenue for self-expression, allowing him to share his experiences and observations. His debut single, ‘Bullyman,’ garnered critical acclaim, reaching high positions on iTunes charts and winning the Grand Prize National Indigenous Story Award. The song’s impact extended beyond the music industry, being utilized in school curricula across Australia.
‘I’m Not Coming Home,’ his second single, resonated with audiences, capturing the struggles and self-discovery of Jacob and his co-writers. The track made its mark on iTunes charts and the Triple A Original 100 Countdown.
In his pursuit of growth, Jacob has completed advanced diplomas in performing arts, graduated from the Academy of Country Music, and earned degrees from the University of Newcastle, all while maintaining a relentless drive to improve his craft.
The pandemic hiatus provided Jacob with an opportunity to delve into new music, drawing inspiration from R&B melodies, authentic Country storytelling, and the dynamic beats of Hip-Hop production. Fans eagerly await his upcoming releases in 2023.
Jacob Ridgeway, an unstoppable force in the music industry, continues to captivate audiences with his talent, passion, and unwavering dedication. As his musical journey unfolds, his artistry touches hearts and leaves an indelible imprint on the world.
JAMES JOHNSTON
In just two short years James has achieved phenomenal success with his boot-stomping songs about life in the country. ‘WE GREW UP ON’ hits home for just about everybody, as it celebrates the freedom and joy that comes with getting your first car.
“You know one of your best days growing up was the day you got you first car,” reminisces James. “It was more than just a car; it was your first taste of real freedom.”
The track’s anthemic production eloquently echoes the sentiment of its lyrics. Produced with Nashville heavyweight Ilya Toshinsky (Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen) at the helm, the music roars from the speakers like an old Ford tearing down an endless two-lane. James’ gravelly vocal sits in the driver’s seat, effortlessly tugging the heartstrings as he recounts his teenage milestones.
James’ feel-good country songs have already amassed over 40 million streams and all singles to date have topped the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts. Since scooping up 2 coveted Golden Guitar awards at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival – New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for his duet with Kaylee Bell, ‘SAME SONGS’ – accolades have not stopped for the singer-songwriter. He received the QMA Country category award for his single ‘COUNTRY BOYS’, is an APRA Music Award nominee for Most Performed Country Work and Rolling Stone Australia Award nominee for Best New Talent.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Saturday June 10
Spotlight Stage
12.00pm
KIRSTY LEE AKERS
Kirsty Lee Akers is one of Australia’s most unique and authentic recording artists. A rare talent who is proud of her indigenous heritage as a woman of the Wonnarua nation, Akers describes herself as a fusion of modern Country and Americana with Pop stylings. Akers is the only artist in history to have won three of the major prizes in Australian Country Music; Toyota Star Maker, Telstra Road to Discovery and a Golden Guitar Award.
While Australia will always be her spiritual home, she spends a lot of her time overseas, having toured both the United States and Canada throughout 2015-2019. The year 2018 saw her venture to Canada to play the two major Canadian Country Music festivals (Calgary Stampede and Big Valley Jamboree) while also expanding her horizons as she showcased her music in the United Kingdom for the first time at the Buckle and Boots Festival. Kirsty has also performed at CMA Fest and Americana Fest multiple times since her first trip in 2006.
Despite a global pandemic, 2021 saw Kirsty defy the odds, record from home, and take out her second Golden Guitar Award. Seeing that this could be achieved, Akers decided to record her 6th studio album during the remainder of the lockdown. This project was very quickly interrupted as Akers and her husband and videographer, Jesse Anderson, were cast on Channel 9’s top-rating reality show ‘The Block’ in February. After winning hearts across Australia on the TV show, the album was completed in late 2021.
On April 15, 2022, ‘Wild’ was released on the eve of the 50th Anniversary Tamwo rth Country Music Festival. The album has turned out to be a career-defining release. On release week, it became the #1 album released by any Australian artist across the nation. It also took out the #11 ARIA spot for all genres globally, and #1 ARIA Country Album chart position. To top off her Tamworth Festival, Kirsty became one of the youngest artists ever to be inducted into the ‘Hands of Fame’ alongside artists like Slim Dusty, Keith Urban and Troy Cassar-Daley. The album was the ARIA 4th highest-selling country record in 2022 and received two Golden Guitar finalist nominations.
KYLIE SACKLEY
Aussie born Singer/Songwriter. 20yr Nashville veteran. Songs recorded by Sam Hunt, Faith Hill, Walker Hayes, Alan Jackson, Leann Rimes, Lee Brice, Randy Houser & many more!
LOREN RYAN
2023 Toyota Star Maker Winner Loren Ryan is an exciting artist at the point of an evolving country music scene. Fresh off the stages of Tamworth Country Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster, song writing with Shy Carter at APRA AMCOS SongHubs Country & BIGSOUND 2022, Loren is the buzz ringing through country and roots fans alike. Her latest single Bounce Back has received multiple high rotation placements and consecutive weeks on country radio charts.
Making a profound effect on the industry by combining her love of music and her traditional language. Writing original songs and translating well-known Australian songs into her native tongue. Loren’s version of ‘Flame Trees’, recorded with the blessing of Cold Chisel, has over 400k streams.
Honest & careworn, Loren’s voice can touch on zealous, limitless, and convicted all in a line resonating over modern-acoustic grassroots, country sound. It’s an alluring blend, like Chris Stapleton meets Beyonce.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Thursday June 8
Spotlight Stage
11.30am
MAX JACKSON
In April 2022, Australian country music artist Max Jackson became the 42nd winner of Toyota Star Maker – Australia’s most prestigious country music competition and rounded out the year as a New Talent nominee in the Toyota 51st Golden Guitar Awards.
Max follows in the footsteps of many including 1990 winner, US country superstar Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, New Zealand’s Kaylee Bell. For more than 10 years, Max has been touring with, and mentored by, five-times Golden Guitar winner Gina Jeffreys.
Growing up in the small town of Coonamble, located on the central western plains of New South Wales, with a population of 2,750, Max was raised on country music. Since relocating to the harbour city of Newcastle, Max has been forging her way to a successful career.
In June 2022, Max was invited to play at CMA Fest in Nashville Tennessee. Max graced the CMA Close-Up Stage as well as appearing on an International Songwriters Round on the CMA Spotlight Stage. Following writing sessions with Aussie ex-pat Phil Barton, he invited Max to perform at the famous Bluebird Café.
In January 2023, Max released her winning Star Maker four-track EP, “Out Here” which saw singles, Runnin’ & Stratosphere to TOP 10 Radio charting success, additions on Apple Music & Spotify’s top editorial playlists and a SOLD OUT Show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Throughout the year, Max has been impressing audiences and organisers at events and festivals including CMC Rocks QLD, the Gympie Muster, Groundwater Country Music Festival and on Cruisin’ Country’s Super Cruise.
MELANIE DYER
On the outskirts of a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ town in the New England/North West region of NSW, Australia is where Melanie Dyer first picked up a guitar and wrote the story of her life growing up on a 3rd generation sheep and cropping farm.
The country singer/songwriter burst onto the music scene in 2015 with her debut EP ‘Lifetime’ which offered a fresh take on the genre, fusing her country roots with pop influences like Katy Perry, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift.
In 2017 Melanie released her debut album ‘Fresh’ with the title track an established #1 hit on the Australian Country Hot 50 radio chart for 5 consecutive weeks. Her self-penned single ‘Save My Cents’, also shot to the top of both radio and Country Music Channel Charts and was a top 10 finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (2018).
In 2019/2020 Melanie enjoyed crossover success with her single ‘Memphis T-Shirt’. The song was added to playlists on contemporary radio networks including NOVA, SCA and Grants, spending 6 weeks at #1 on Australian Country Hot 50 Chart and earning her an APRA nomination for Most Performed Country Work in 2021. The song has hit over 2 million streams and 25 million radio impacts.
In 2022, Melanie released her sophomore album ‘Between You & Me’ featuring hit singles, Run Out Of Road, Cheap Moscato, Cheating On Me and Dumb Decisions (with Caitlyn Shadbolt) and the title track a collab with US Artist Troy Cartwright. The album earned Melanie 2 CMAA Golden Guitar Award nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Collaboration of the year in January 2023.
Melanie recently announced she is performing at Nashville’s CMA Fest in June 2023.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Sunday June 11
Hard Rock Stage
11.35am
MORGAN EVANS
Australian-born country phenom Morgan Evans is striking a chord with fans with the release of his new single “Over For You.” Evans debuted the deeply personal track, lauded by Billboard as “absolutely one of [his] best releases to date,” during his headlining set at Australia’s CMC Rocks QLD Festival, in front of a sold out 22,000 fans.
Clips of the emotional performance amassed hundreds of thousands of views, as well as thousands of comments filled with shared stories of heartbreak all within just a few days, prompting its immediate release to country radio. The vulnerable song is featured on Evans’ forthcoming EP, Life Upside Down, available April 21.
The EP builds outward and upward from the foundation Evans created with his latest EP The Country And The Coast Side A and his debut album Things That We Drink To, which arrived Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and features the Gold-certified No. 1 debut single “Kiss Somebody.” Evans has forged a path as one of the genre’s most promising stars, with recognition from Rolling Stone, Billboard, CMT, People, SiriusXM, Pandora, The Bobby Bones Show, The Tennessean and more. He has toured with artists including Taylor Swift, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts and Chris Young. Making up for lost time, he toured 10 countries last summer, playing both headlining shows and opening shows for one his guitar heroes, Brad Paisley.
He recently wrapped his co-headlining European Day Drunk Me tour alongside Mitchell Tenpenny and performed at C2C Festival on three headline stages. Now, he joins Brett Young on his 5 Tour 3 2 1 tour in the states.
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Saturday June 10
Fan Fair X
2.00pm
Chevy Riverfront Stage
4.00pm
PHIL BARTON
Phil Barton is an Australian songwriter living in Nashville, TN. He had his first No. 1 with the Lee Brice smash, A Woman Like You. This song led to a Music Row Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, and NSAI award for one of the coveted “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written”.
Recently, Phil co-produced a children’s album called Prayed For This Day for Chrissy Metz’s new children’s book “When I Talk To God”. He is also a co-writer on all 11 tracks of this record. He has I’ve Gotten Goodout on Universal Music Group’s recording artist Priscilla Block. Barton also landed the title track on recording Arista/Records artist Matt Stell’s, Better Than That EP.
Along with his success in American Country Music, Phil has had multiple Top Ten singles in Canada with artists like Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee, The Washboard Union, Jojo Mason, and Meghan Patrick. In Australia, he has also had cuts with Lee Kernaghan, Missy Lancaster, Busby Marou, Jai Waetford, The Wolfe Brothers, Reigan, and more.
His songs have been recorded by Lee Brice, Rachel Wammack, Trea Landon, Brad Cox, Amy Shephard, Sara Evans, David Nail, Eli Young Band, Dustin Lynch, Morgan Evans, LOCASH, and many more.
SEAFORTH
One band. Two songwriters. Over 20 years of friendship. A 9,000-mile move from the Northern Beaches of Australia to Nashville, TN.
Seaforth — the country-pop duo featuring Tom Jordan and Mitch Thompson — showcases the power of collaboration.
Growing up in the same Sydney suburb, the childhood friends found themselves drawn to similar music, listening to modern songwriters like Keith Urban and old-school acts like the Beatles. The Sydney suburb, Seaforth, inspired their name and nurtured their artistic growth.
The duo’s journey brought them to Nashville, where they officially teamed up to form Seaforth, highlighting their genre-jumping songwriting chops, elastic voices, and layered harmonies. Thompson says, “We have the kind of partnership where we both have our own personas, and we meet in the middle. The ship wouldn’t sail without both of us.”
After signing a worldwide deal with Sony Nashville, the duo permanently relocated to the U.S., joining a roster that includes Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Miranda Lambert. Seaforth’s sound caught the attention of award-winning producer Dann Huff, who signed on to produce their major-label debut. Huff co-produced several tracks around the band’s original demos, leaving parts of Seaforth’s homemade recordings intact.
Two decades since their kindergarten days, Jordan and Thompson have reached new heights with Seaforth. With over 400 million global streams, a gold record with “Anything She Says” (with Mitchell Tenpenny), and performances at festivals and sold-out shows all over the world, including Australia, the USA, and the UK,
Seaforth is a duo built upon hooks and harmonies. Their country-pop sound makes room for rock & roll, R&B, and everything in between, with a future as bright as those sunlit days back home in Australia.
In May 2023, Seaforth amicably parted ways with Sony Nashville, embracing the excitement and creative freedom that comes with being independent. The duo is eagerly anticipating their debut independent release, “Get The Girl,” set to launch on June 16. This new chapter provides Seaforth with the opportunity to explore their sound even further, shaping their musical journey with a sense of autonomy and innovation.
“Nashville is the international home for the sound we’re making,” says Jordan. “From the day we wrote our first song together, we knew we needed to be here. It’s a dream come true.”
CMA FEST SHOWCASES
Thursday June 8
Fan Fair X
12.00pm
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
2.45pm
SINEAD BURGESS
In an age of over-produced music with no heart, Sinead Burgess is no trend-follower. Paving the way with the few other voices in Nashville and the greater music industry toting raw and honest music, this small town, Australian raised girl is making big waves despite only moving to town one year ago.
That said, she is certainly no stranger to the music industry. ‘Damaged Goods’ is Singer/Songwriter & Multi-instrumentalist Burgess’ first independent release after being with a major label since the age of 16. A collection of real stories of her life, filled with stripped back, tainted yet calmly optimistic tones of a woman who has, frankly, been through some sh*t. Whether it’s the ballsy ‘Momma Raised a Ramblin’ Man’, the classic country /blues inspired track about her being sick of being over looked in guitar stores as ‘just another girl putting up with the boys guitar shopping’, or the challenging feeling of real love never dying, no matter how long it has been unrequited, as heard in ‘Wildflowers of Colorado’.
Recorded in 3 days at Parlour Studios in Nashville, TN, Sinead crafted a stunning acoustic record as a one woman band; writing every song and playing the bulk of the instruments. The songs can be described as snapshots of her heart, carving her out in her own, multi- dimensional genre lane, tapping into Country/ Americana/ and singer- songwriter roots.
Her brutally honest, whole hearted performances are gaining her much attention both in the US and the UK, proving she is well and truly one to watch…
ZAC & GEORGE
Originally inspired by iconic duo Simon and Garfunkel, Zac & George have continued to broaden their musical taste with acts such as John Mayer, Keith Urban and Dan + Shay.
The duo released their first single “Jump Right In” in February 2022, followed by their second release “Red Wine & Roses” in August 2022 which debuted at #26 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Country Airplay Charts and has clocked in excess of 650,000 Spotify streams. “Bar Stool” came out in January 2023 and has quickly clocked streams in the region of half a million plays.
Zac & George’s latest release is “Sleep On It” produced by producers MSquared. The release comes off the back of Zac & George’s headline tour. The duo have this year been announced on Gympie Muster Music Festival as well as the Big Chill.